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Faster Wi-Fi standard adopted

Computers linked wirelessly to the Internet may become more common because of a new industry Wi-Fi standard adopted Thursday.

By Byron Acohido, USA TODAY

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) ratified a standard called 802.11g that allows wireless transmissions four to five times faster than the most widely used current standard, 802.11b.

Computer makers such as Hewlett-Packard and chipmakers such as Texas Instruments are now expected to boost marketing of desktop and laptop computers equipped for faster wireless links based on the new standard.

"It is going to create a high-speed alternative and help drive the growth in the wireless market," says Ken Furer, tech analyst at IDC.

Wi-Fi uses a radio signal, much like cordless telephone handsets, to connect to access points called "hot spots" that are linked to the Internet. The new standard makes it easier to transfer bigger files, such as videos, or to connect more computers to an access point.

That could help companies make a stronger case for widely distributing wireless laptops to workers. It could also make it easier for consumers to build home networks linking two or more computers to a single Internet connection.

Spending on Wi-Fi hardware could total $1.8 billion this year, up from $1.5 billion in 2002. The market is expected to grow to $2.6 billion by 2006, says research firm Forrester.

IDC projects 23% of Wi-Fi gear sold this year and 53% in 2004 will use 802.11g technology.

Wi-Fi still isn’t perfect. "Some major impediments still stand in the way of wide adoption," says Stan Schatt, an analyst at Forrester.

Both the old and new standard use the 2.4GHz radio frequency commonly used in telephones and microwave ovens, making interference a common complaint. Also, users remain wary of security holes. IEEE’s next job is to develop tighter security standards.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2003-06-13-wifi_x.htm

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